Thread: TO All The CAD DESIGNERS
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Unread 24-06-2002, 02:41
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#0047 (ChiefDelphi)
  
Join Date: May 2001
Location: Pontiac, MI
Posts: 21,214
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pencils to throw, wave to catch
Posted by Bob Drexel at 03/22/2001 3:30 PM EST


Engineer on team #358, Titans, from Hauppauge and Festo Corp..


In Reply to: TO All The CAD DESIGNERS
Posted by Gabe on 03/21/2001 10:29 PM EST:



As the main designer/detailer for team 358,I used a two platform approach. I used Acad 14 in 2D for basic geometry concepts (i.e. overall size, relationships with playing field, mechanism travel, etc) due to my extensive use and experience with it. This allowed me to quickly formulate basic constraints for the size and shape of our conceptual design.
With the basic geometry done, I then used Inventor to create a detailed 3D model of all parts and assemblies. Since I was new to the Inventor package the start up time required to become proficient with it took about three days (able to create basic geometry and quickly produce details). I also used this new learning experience time to assist our student mechanical design team to learn Inventor, now have one student who assists in detailing (a great benefit).
It took two weeks (can’t count the hours) to completely (85%) design the Bot in 3D. Many problems that we would have experienced during assembly (after the parts are made) were eliminated due to the advantage of virtual assembly. And the always butt biting problem of weight was eliminated (nearly) because of the “Materials” and “Properties” features in Inventor that give back key data on items such as mass, center of gravity, and Mass Moments. This saved me much time and many mistakes in calculating.
The extra up front time was well worth it because everything fit right the first time!! And, the ergonomic benefits by putting it together in cyber space various times and in various ways really paid off at our regional. Due to “cyber revisions”,I was able to change a drive motor in 3 minutes after our rookie driver smoked it in practice trying to do skid steer spins in high gear. If it weren’t for 3D design I would have buried the motors within the Bot (first concept of drive design) and really had a problem.
Bottom line, throw away the pencil, 3D design is the wave of the future.

!!!CATCH THE WAVE!!!


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